Mailbox With Flag Indicator System

ABSTRACT

A mailbox system includes more than one mailbox wall that defines a compartment with an open end, a lid that rotates from an open position to a closed position to enclose the open end of the compartment, an axle with a first end and a second end that passes through the mailbox wall, a flag attached to the first end of the axle outside of the compartment, an arm attached to the second end of the axle inside the compartment, and a locking bar that moves forward to release the arm such that the flag rotates from a lowered position to a raised position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to mailboxes and, more particularly, tomailbox flags.

BACKGROUND

Mailboxes are installed on the curb edge next to the road so postaldelivery workers can drive along and insert mail into the mailbox.However, the person in the house, unless he or she sees the mailman,does not know whether or not the mail has arrived.

Mail box flags have been designed to indicate that mail has beendelivered. The most widely used mailbox flag is one that is manuallymoved by the homeowner to let the mailman know that there is mail readyfor pickup. These mailbox flags sit in a horizontal position prior tothe mail being inserted into the mailbox. When mail is placed in themailbox, the flag is moved to an upright position. However, these flagsare typically only used by the homeowner to let the mailman know thatthere is mail that is ready for pick-up.

SUMMARY

In one general aspect, a mailbox with flag indicator system includesmore than one mailbox wall that defines a compartment with an open end,a lid that rotates from an open position to a closed position to enclosethe open end of the compartment, an axle with a first end and a secondend that passes through the mailbox wall, a flag attached to the firstend of the axle outside of the compartment, an arm attached to thesecond end of the axle inside the compartment, and a locking bar thatmoves forward to release the arm such that the flag rotates from alowered position to a raised position.

Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. Forexample, the locking bar may have a first edge that includes a magnetthat contacts the lid when the lid is in the closed position. As anotherfeature, the lid is a ferrous metal and or is attracted to magnets.

As an additional feature, the arm includes an angled tooth with a slotthat engages the locking bar and prevents a weighted end of the arm fromswinging downward. The locking bar can be made of a flexible member thatflexes over the angled tooth when the flag is pushed down from theraised position to the lowered position. The locking bar moves forwardwhen the lid is opened to disengage the locking bar from within the slotof the angled tooth such that the weighted end on the arm swings downthereby rotating the flag to the raised position.

As a further feature, a second flag can be rotateably attached to themailbox wall.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a mailbox system with an indicator flag in loweredand raised positions, respectively;

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the flag in a raised position;

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 show side views of an arm and locking bar of themailbox system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a mailbox system 10 includes a flag 12 onthe outside of a mailbox wall 12. The flag 12 is attached to an axle 16that passes through the mailbox wall 12 to the interior compartment ofthe mailbox.

The end at the inside of the mailbox compartment is attached to an arm18. The arm has a weighted end 20. If allowed to rotate freely, theweighted end 20 drops down causing the flag 12 to raise up to a verticalposition.

A locking bar extends 22 along a portion of the length of the mailbox.The locking bar 22 has a magnet 24 at an end proximate to a metalmailbox lid 26 and it slides horizontally. When the lid 22 is closed,the locking bar slides back such that it can be positioned to secure thearm 18 and flag 12 in a horizontal position by contact with an angledtooth 28 attached to the arm 18.

When the lid 26 is opened, the magnet 24 moves the locking bar 22forward to move a beveled edge of the locking bar 22 away from theangled tooth 28. The direction of movement of the sliding bar 22 isshown by arrow A.

Once the angled tooth 28 is released the weighted end 20 causes the arm18 to rotate to a vertical position and raise the flag 12 to a verticalposition.

FIG. 3 is a top view and FIG. 4 is a side view of the flag 12 in avertical position. As shown, a slot 30 in the angled tooth 28 isdisengaged from the locking bar 22.

Once the lid 26 of the mailbox is closed, the locking bar 22 is pushedback and the flag 12 can be reset in the down (horizontal) position.Referring to FIG. 5, as the flag 12 is rotated into the horizontalposition, the angled tooth 28 pushes against the locking bar 28 and“flexes” it out of the way in the direction of Arrow B. In other words,the locking bar 28 slides sideways against the angled tooth 28 as theangled tooth rotates.

As shown in FIG. 6, once the locking bar 22 clears the beveled edge ofthe angled tooth 28, it swings back and is positioned in the slot tolock it in place.

1. A mailbox system, comprising: more than one mailbox wall that definesa compartment with an open end; a lid that rotates from an open positionto a closed position to enclose the open end of the compartment; an axlewith a first end and a second end that passes through the mailbox wall;a flag attached to the first end of the axle outside of the compartment;an arm attached to the second end of the axle inside the compartment; alocking bar that moves forward to release the arm such that the flagrotates from a lowered position to a raised position.
 2. The mailboxsystem of claim 1, wherein the locking bar comprises a first edge thatincludes a magnet that contacts the lid when the lid is in the closedposition.
 3. The mailbox system of claim 2, wherein the lid comprises aferrous metal.
 4. The mailbox system of claim 1, wherein the armcomprises an angled tooth with a slot that engages the locking bar andprevents a weighted end of the arm from swinging downward.
 5. Themailbox system of claim 4, wherein the locking bar comprises a flexiblemember that flexes over the angled tooth when the flag is pushed downfrom the raised position to the lowered position.
 6. The mailbox systemof claim 4, wherein the locking bar moves forward when the lid is openedto disengage the locking bar from within the slot of the angled toothsuch that the weighted end on the arm swings down thereby rotating theflag to the raised position.
 7. The mailbox system of claim 1, furthercomprising a second flag rotateably attached to the mailbox wall.